Business newsmakers: Neal named president of MEC Contractors-Engineers

Neal named president of MEC Contractors-Engineers

Gary Neal recently was named president of MEC Contractors-Engineers. He previously was MEC’s vice president/Florida East Coast.

Neal received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida, Neal also received his master’s degree in engineering from UF.

He started at MEC in September 2013.

Prior to joining MEC, Neal was an engineer in the New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, areas.

MEC is a full-service commercial construction company with locations in Melbourne and Orlando.

MEC has an extensive project portfolio, including, among many others, retail, school and banking facilities.

McCluney named head of Embraer corporate social responsibility

Monica Newman McCluney recently joined Embraer Aircraft Holdings as head of U.S. corporate social responsibility and the Embraer Foundation.

The foundation, previously headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, relocated operations to Embraer's Melbourne campus in late 2021.

Prior to joining Embraer, McCluney served as senior manager for resource development and diversity, equity and inclusion at United Way of Brevard.

She was responsible for a portfolio of workplace campaigns, grantors and sponsors, including the organization’s largest corporate donor, L3Harris Technologies.

McCluney also was responsible for developing the organization’s external diversity, equity and inclusion strategy while serving on the Florida United Way Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, ensuring each United Way in the state successfully implemented required policy updates and annual diversity, equity and inclusion training for staff and board members.

At Embraer, McCluney’s duties focus on managing and implementing the three pillars of the Embraer Foundation, which include education, volunteer and grant programs.

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McCluney also will focus on Embraer's corporate social private investment, in-kind donations, and employee and community engagement, with a focus on social impact and education programs, sustainability, aviation, and diversity and inclusion.

The jet-maker said McCluney’s role and the Embraer Foundation‘s programs are indicative of Embraer's global environmental, social and governance commitments with a specific focus on social responsibility.

Salonen named to CareerSource Florida board

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently appointed Rob Salonen, Florida Tech’s director of government affairs and strategic partnerships, to the CareerSource Florida board of directors.

Salonen was one of four appointees DeSantis announced in late December.

Salonen has been with Florida Tech since 2014. During that time, he has consulted with companies, organizations and government to facilitate partnerships with the university’s principal offices and worked to connect Florida Tech’s talent and technology development capabilities to government and corporate interests.

Prior to Florida Tech, Salonen was director of business development for the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. He also was a co-founder of the Brevard Regional Hyperbaric Center & Southern Aero Medical Institute.

A Melbourne resident, Salonen is a member of the Civilian Military Community Relations Council of the Space Coast, and serves on the board of Circles of Care.

He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida Tech. He earned his Certified Economic Developer professional certification through the International Economic Development Council.

Parrish Medical Center’s board elects officers

Parrish Medical Center’s board of directors, in accordance with its bylaws, held an election of officers during its January board meeting. The election resulted in the following office appointments:

Robert Jordan Jr. was elected chairman of the board. Jordan has served on the Parrish Medical Center board of directors in numerous capacities since 1998. Jordan is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Genesis VII, having more than 32 years of experience in the aerospace field. He holds numerous board positions in the public and private sectors, including his recent appointment as vice mayor of Titusville.

Stanley Retz was elected vice chairman. Retz has been a certified public accountant for more than 40 years, providing tax, accounting and financial advice to businesses and individuals.

Dr. Elizabeth Galfo was elected secretary. Galfo has served on the board of directors since 2015. She is a hospice and palliative medicine physician with St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care, serving as the organization’s chief medical officer and medical director from 1997 to 2020.

Herman Cole Jr. was elected treasurer. A retired Air Force colonel, Cole has served on the board of directors since 2000 in a number of capacities, including former chairman of the board. Cole has an extensive background in directing, managing and administering large, worldwide construction projects.

In addition to the board officers, the nine-member board of directors includes newly elected member Billy Specht, along with returning members Billie Fitzgerald, Jerry Noffel, Maureen Rupe, and Dr. Ashok Shah.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: MEC Contractors-Engineers promotes Neal to president